Refrigerator.



REFRIGERATOR.

APPLICAHON FILED DEC. 24.1915.

Patented June 26, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

J. E. STAFFORD, W. D. INGRAM & H. C. GORDON.

INVENTORS 5g- W. y r i -va o o- Q wr A23;

ATTORNEYS.

J T w w 4 w v /w M V m w w a 7 a 9 a 15 0 a 2/ 7 z 6 4 i Q L. m M I 0 LINUFF/ \\l||\ .f a w" 2 M f. m 2 11in ILIHHH WW 6 L a I Q 4 W1 TNESS J. E. STAFFORD, W, D. INGRAM (Y1 H. C. GORDON. REFRIGERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.24. 1915.

1,23 l ,Qfi Patented June 26, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

9 7% A TTORNEYS.

JOHN E. STAFFORD, WILLIAM D. INGRAM, AND HARRY G. GORDON, OF LINCOLN,

' CALIFORNIA.

REFRIGERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 11119 26, 1917.

Application filed December 24, 1915. Serial N 0. 68,485.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J OHN E. SrArroRD, WILLIAM D. INGRAM, and HARRY C. Gon- DON, citizens of the United States, residing at Lincoln,'in the county of Placer and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerators, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in refrigerators, and more particularly to that type ofapparatus wherein the refrigeration or cooling is accomplished by evaporation.

The invention has for its principal objects to provide an apparatus wherein the supply of evaporation liquid from a reservoir is automatically controlled in accordance with the saturation of the capillary medium, one wherein there is provided means for insuring an even supply of evaporation fluid to all sides of the chamber surrounded by the capillary medium regardless of whether the apparatus sets at a slight angle or is in a level position. To provide an apparatus wherein the food chamber is removable from the casing to enable the same to be easily repaired and cleaned, and one wherein the food chamber is surrounded by a fluid containing chamber which provides a cooling means for the food chamber for a considerable time after the flow of the evaporation fluid'has been shut oflt'.

With the above mentionedand other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the ac companying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the proportion, form, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

To more fully comprehend the invention, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in front elevation,

partly in section, of a refrigerator, disclos ing an embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the several views .of the drawings wherein likecharacters of reference designate corresponding parts, 1 indicates the outer wall of the refrigerator, open at its base as at 2, providing a draft opening, and formed with a draft opening 3 in the upper portion of the rear wall. The refrigerator is supported by legs 4c and is divided on its interior into several compartments.

Removably supported on a ledge 5 surrounding the open base 2 is a drawer frame 6 mounting the sieve bottom trays 7 and 8, preferably arranged in staggered relation with reference to the longitudinal length of the refrigerator in order that the air passing through the refrigerator will be forced to pass over and through the trays before exhausting from the opening 3. The upper tray 7 is hinged as at 9 to one end of the frame 6 to permit of an easy access to the lower tray 8, and said trays are adapted to contain any suitable dehydrating chemical or compound.

Extending across the refrigerator above the trays 7 and 8 is aperforated partition 10 upturned at its side and rear walls providing perforated walls 11 which extend upwardly over the inner face of the walls 1 and are spaced therefrom by the spacing members 12. The walls 11 terminate short of the top of the refrigerator and the perforations therein provide a means for effectively directing the dehydrated air after passing over and through the trays 7 and 8 against the evaporation surfaces of the absorbent material hereinafter described.

A sump 13 is formed in the perforated partition 10 and connecting with the upper edge thereof is an overflow pipe 14 leading to an outlet or drain pipe 15 extending below the trays 7 and 8 and opening beneath the refrigerator.

A food container 16 having an open front 17 is removably positioned within the refrigcrator, and the same is supported by arms 18 extending from the inner walls 11 adjacent their base. A fluid chamber 19 surrounds the top, bottom and three side walls of said food container, and the outer wall 20 forming said chamber 19 terminates short of the front edge of the wall of said food container surrounding the opening 17 thereof, thereby providing an extension 21 surrounding said'opening. The top wall member 20 or roof of the chamber 19 is conical in form and at its apex is provided with a circular depression 22. A suit-able compartment 23 is provided in the upper portion of the food container and the same is adapted for the reception ofice, the drip therefrom passing into the chamber '19 through a passage 2 1 leading thereinto, The

chamber may be supplied with water through an inlet25 in the roof thereof, and an overflow connection 26 leads from the chamber at a point below the passage 24 and! communiother well .known structure for absorbing liquids and presenting a large surface for euaporation. A suitable material 31, prefer,- ably of wicking surrounds the depression 22 and. by capillary. attraction gradually feeds water, contained in the depression to the evaporating surface 80.,

Resting on supports ,32 extending inwardly;

fromthewa-lls of the refrigerator adjacent. the top,.tl1ereo'f is a suitable reservoir 33, maintained in position by the vguides 34.

The reservoir is provided-with a filler. open-v. ing 35 and a suitable fluid outlet. The fluid.

outletis surrounded by a tubularferrule 36 threaded on its interiorto receive the. eX- teriorly threaded tubular valve seat 37, carried at the lower end of. a tubular; Per.- forated valve casing 38 which is removably positioned within the reservoir, An annular flange 39 having finger pieces 39. thereon is formed .on the upper portionof the casing 38 and is adapted to provide a fluidtight joint with the top of the reservoir when the cas-v ingis positioned therein, and the valveseat and ferrule are forced tightly together. A reciprocating valve stem 40 carrying the valve 41 for seatingon the upper surface of the valve seat 37 is mounted in the casing 88- with the lower end, thereof projecting. throughthe tubular ferrule 36-,-.andthe up-. per end; projecting above the reservoir andj provided with the laterally extending spaced, heads 42. The valveis of such construction that the same may be removed in,one piece from the; reservoir when the valve is inneed of. repairs, adjustment or cleaning. A, lever 43 fulcrumed as at 4:4. is bifurcated at its forward end to be received between the spaced heads 14:2{0f the valve stem, andthe, same connects at its. opposite end with the. upper end of .a stem or rod 44 which-is mounted to reciprocatein. a guide 45 and carries at its lower end a float towhichis positioned in the sump 13.

Suitablespring arms 47 extendupwardly from the sump .13 and a contact withthe vun der or. bottom ,wall :20and saidiarms are covered on one face with a capillary material 48 such as wicking.

A suitablehinged front 49: closes thefront of the refrigerator surrounding the open portion 17 of the food chamber and said front is provided with an opening of the size of said open portion 17 to permit of access thereto; the hinged frontwhen swung to,open;poSi-tion, permitting the removal of the food container 16 from the refrigerator. A suitable metallicspring packing. 50substantially Usshaped in cross-section surrounds the opening .in the hinged front 49 nd r heicha nel ofaid p c g, When said front is in closed positiomas in Fig. 2, is adapted t be receivedtheportion 21 of the food, container; 16. A hinged door 51 carried hy =tl1e front 4L9i-c1oses the opening therein, .and. closes-the; open portion of the food container. 16, and; Silldg door when closed contacts. .Witl1 thepacking. 50 which provides. a tight joint around, the .same.

A removable closure 52 rests onthe upper edge ofthe .hingedfront/ 49 and; closes, the openingthrough whichthe reservoir is with drawn ,from .therefrigerator. A drawer front ht is secured, to the front. end of-the dra-werirame 6 and; provides a means for withdrawing the-drawer; frame 6 and trays 7 and. Sfrom-the refrigerator when desired.

Thereseryoir33being filled with water, thesamewvillpass therefrom throughothe valve controlled-opening and will be received in the depression 22 which insures an even distribution thereofpwhether the refrigerator is-level or is ,resting at an.;angle.1 The water isdrawn from.;the, depression by the capill' ary mediums. 3O-and 31 and saturates. the.covering-.30.surrounding the food container-.16 and; iseua-porated by thecircula-s tion .O'fglJllQ air; around-. the container. When the material; 30becomes excessively. satu} rated the excess,water is drawn by the material. 418.;on the spring arms 47 into the sump 13 and -asvit oollects therein the fioat 16.;is raised, seatingthevalve -11 to shut off the supplygf-rom the reservoir. Asthe water. now saturating the material .30 is evaporated, thaain= the sump l3. :is ,=-supp lied through capillaryattraction to the; material-30 and h n thQJBVQlNi thewater in: the .sump is reducd to a certaimpoint, the dropping of the float lfi unseatssthegvalve 41; and permits water to flow from the reservoir 33. Inthis manner the material 30; will, be. maintained at an 3 approximately uniform saturation at all times and under. all conditions, {LIL-(1321.11 of the; water of. evaporation will be utilized.

Having thus described ourinvention, what; Weclaim .as. ne.w,.anddesire. tog protect by Letters Patent is 1-. A refrigerator.-comprising an outercasing, an inner casing within the outer casing. a porous-.-.materialcovering thelinner casing, means for supplying fluid to the porous material, and means for automatically controlling the supply of fluid to said porous material, said means being operated in accordance With the degree of saturation of said porous material.

2. A refrigerator comprising an outer casing, an inner casing Within the outer casing and spaced therefrom, a porous absorbent material covering the inner casing, means for supplying fluid to the upper surface of said porous absorbent material for flowing by capillary attraction over the surface thereof, a valve controlling the fluid supply to said porous material, a closed sump for receiving the excess fluid supplied to said porous material, and a float in said sump and actuated by the level of the liquid therein for opening and closing said Valve.

3. A refrigerator comprising an outer casing, an inner casing Within the outer casing and spaced therefrom, a porous material covering the inner casing, a reservoir for supplying fluid to the porous material, a valve controlling the supply from said reservoir, a sump for receiving the excess fluid supplied to said porous material, a float in said sump and connected With said valve and actuated by the rise of fluid in said sump for closing said valve, and capillary means Within said sump and contacting With said porous material for Withdrawing the Water from said sump and supplying the same to said porous material.

A. A refrigerator comprising a casing, a porous material covering said casing, means for supplying fluid to said porous material, and valve controlled means for automatically controlling the supply of fluid from said supply to said porous material, the operation of said last mentioned means being dependent upon the degree of saturation of said. porous material.

5. A refrigerator comprising an outer casing, a food container removably mounted therein, a porous material covering said food container, means for supplying fluid to the porous material at the top of said food container, a sump for receiving the excess fluid supplied to said porous material, and a capillary medium extending from Within the sump and contacting With said porous material for supplying the fluid contained in said sump to said porous material.

6. A refrigerator comprising an outer casing, a food container removably mounted therein, a porous material covering said food container, means for supplying fluid to the porous material at the top of said food container, a sump for receiving the excess fluid supplied to said porous material, a capillary medium extending from Within the sump and contacting With said porous material for supplying the fluid contained in said sump to said porous material, and spring means for supporting said capillary medium and for maintaining the same in contact With said porous material.

7 A refrigerator comprising an outer casing, a food container therein, a porous material around said container, a reservoir above said container for supplying fluid to the porous material, a valve removably mounted in said reservoir for controlling the fluid supply therefrom, and means automatically operated in accordance with the degree of saturation of said porous material for actuating said valve.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN E. STAFFORD. WILLIAM D. INGRAM. HARRY O. GORDON.

lVitnesses:

JAMES D. MENDELT, JAKE Moosn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

